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One loss doesn’t keep you out of the College Football Playoff.

In fact, 75 percent of the playoff semifinalists over the last three seasons have had one loss. Several Power 5 programs have one loss heading into Week 7, and that list includes blue blood programs such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.

1Auburn (5-1)

That loss: ClemsonLowdown: The Tigers average 48 points per game in three SEC victories and have found an identity running the football around Jarrett Stidham. The defense is good, too, allowing just 287.5 yards per game. The trick now is navigating three straight road games against LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M before late-season home games against Georgia and Alabama. If they can just get to the Tide with one loss, imagine the Iron Bowl.Verdict: Hold. That's a brutal schedule.

2Michigan (4-1)

That loss: Michigan StateLowdown: The offense isn't good enough. There's no way to sugarcoat that. The Wolverines can't take a road trip at Indiana for granted before road games at Penn State, Wisconsin and the regular season finale against Ohio State. Michigan still has the No. 1 statistical defense in the country, and it will keep them in games. Jim Harbaugh must figure out some workarounds on offense, however.Verdict: Sell. We'll buy back in if they beat Penn State.

3Michigan State (4-1)

That loss: Notre DameLowdown: Mark Dantonio has a team good enough to win nine or 10 games, especially after beating in-state rivals one more time. Michigan State will have to win ugly, and that stretch against Penn State and Ohio State from Nov. 4-11 is a lot more appetizing now. They'll have to win ugly every week.Verdict: Sell. The Spartans have proven everyone wrong before, but we don’t think they can duplicate that against the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.

4Notre Dame (5-1)

That loss: GeorgiaLowdown: Notre Dame averages 308.0 rushing yards per game. That’s a touch ahead of Alabama right now, and that loss to Georgia doesn’t look so bad with the Bulldogs sitting at 6-0. Brian Kelly went from hot seat to a chance to put the Irish in the College Football Playoff conversation — if they beat USC in South Bend on Oct. 21.Verdict: Buy. They'll have enough if they keep winning.

5N.C. State (5-1)

That loss: South CarolinaLowdown: The Wolfpack probably wish they had that season-opener against South Carolina back now. Bradley Chubb has dominated on the defensive line, and Ryan Finley continues to play well. The Wolfpack can make their move with wins at Notre Dame on Oct. 28 and at home against Clemson on Nov. 4.Verdict: Hold. We're intrigued by N.C. State, and we know the dangers of that thinking.

6Ohio State (5-1)

That loss: OklahomaLowdown: Ohio State has outscored its last opponents 210-42, and that has eased concerns about J.T. Barrett and new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. The actual Big Ten schedule starts this week at Nebraska, and Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan await.Verdict: Buy. Urban Meyer has made the College Football Playoff with one loss twice. The Buckeyes are best equipped of this bunch to do it again.

7Oklahoma (4-1)

That loss: Iowa StateLowdown: We're going to find out what first-year coach Lincoln Riley is all about in the Red River Rivalry with Texas. The Sooners allowed an average of 39.5 to Baylor and Iowa State. That loss to the Cyclones is the biggest scarlet letter among the one-loss teams on this list, too. Baker Mayfield can lead this team to the Big 12 title, but they can’t lose again.Verdict: Hold. The Ohio State win is a trump card, but that defense isn’t playoff-caliber right now. It could bite the Sooners again.

8Oklahoma State (4-1)

That loss: TCULowdown: The Cowboys had a bye week to get ready for the rest of the Big 12 schedule, which includes road trips to Texas and West Virginia before Bedlam against Oklahoma. Oklahoma State can score with anybody, but can they survive all those Big 12 shootouts?Verdict: Sell. We could see the Cowboys in the Big 12 championship game, but it’s easier to see one more slipup through all those Big 12 track meets.

9USC (5-1)

That loss: Washington StateLowdown: The Trojans had a rugged September, but they can position themselves right back in the playoff race with victories against Utah and at Notre Dame on Oct. 21. This is where Sam Darnold needs to deliver on all that preseason hype. If the Trojans can get back to the Pac-12 championship game with one loss, then they are in business.Verdict: Buy. We think the Trojans can get back in.

10Virginia Tech (5-1)

That loss: ClemsonLowdown: The Hokies lost at home to Clemson, but still have enough talent to work back into the conversation in the second half of the season with key road games at Miami, Georgia Tech and Virginia. The Hokies can get back to Charlotte for the ACC championship. We're just not sure they'll have an answer for the Tigers if that’s the opponent.Verdict: Sell. The Hokies are getting closer under Justin Fuente, but they're not quite there yet.

11Texas Tech (4-1)

That loss: Oklahoma StateLowdown: The Red Raiders are that fourth-ranked Big 12 team, and they have an offense patented for all those high-powered offensive games the conference presents. They have to start winning more of them, however. We’ll know more after road trips to West Virginia and Oklahoma this month.Verdict: Sell, though we could picture the Red Raiders in the Big 12 championship game. Maybe.

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